How can I report a violation of the Fair Housing Act?

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is responsible for receiving complaints under the Fair Housing Act. You may write HUD a letter or telephone them. In addition, you can download a fair housing complaint form from the HUD website through - www.hud.gov.

Toll-free number: 1-800-669-9777
TTY phone for the hearing impaired: 1-800-927-9275
Address:

Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Room 5204
451 Seventh St. SW
Washington, DC 20410-2000

What should I tell HUD?

You will need to provide HUD with your name and address, the name and address of the person you are bringing the complaint against, the address or location of the dwelling involved, the date the alleged violation occurred, and a brief description of the alleged violation.

What will HUD do with my complaint?

After you submit a complaint you will receive a notification from HUD that it has been received. HUD will usually also notify the person you are complaining about that a complaint has been filed against him or her. HUD will then begin an investigation of your claim in order to determine whether there is reasonable cause to believe that the Fair Housing Act has been violated.

What if I need help right away, and can't wait for an investigation?

In some situations, such as where a serious discriminatory practice is occurring, you may need immediate help. In that case, as soon as it receives your complaint HUD may be able to ask the U.S. Attorney General to seek immediate temporary relief to protect your interests.

How will my complaint be resolved?

Depending upon whether it believes a violation of the Fair Housing Act has occurred, HUD will try to reach an agreement, or conciliation, with the person you are complaining about. If an agreement is reached, and HUD has reasonable cause to believe that it is thereafter broken, they will recommend to the U.S. Attorney General that a suit be filed on your behalf.

Do I get a hearing?

If HUD's investigation finds reasonable cause to believe that discrimination has occurred, you will be entitled to an administrative hearing on the issue unless your complaint has already been resolved through conciliation. If you or the party you are complaining about choose, the case can be heard in federal district court, instead of through an administrative hearing. Administrative hearings tend to be less formal than federal court proceedings, and they are often much speedier.

Do I have to pay to have my case go to hearing or trial?

No. Whether you receive an administrative hearing or your case goes to trial in a federal court, you do not have to pay. At an administrative hearing, HUD attorneys will handle the case on your behalf, at the expense of the government. If you or the other party choose to go to federal court, the Attorney General will file suit on your behalf. You may hire your own attorney to represent you, but you will have to pay for that service.

What type of damages can I receive?

If it is found that the Fair Housing Act has been violated, you may be compensated for your actual damages, which may include your pain and suffering or humiliation. In addition, the administrative law judge who presides over your hearing or the judge who presides over your court case may be able to force the other party to make the housing available to you. Finally, the person who discriminated against you may be required to pay a civil penalty to the federal government for violating the Act.

How does the Fair Housing Act relate to state housing laws?

Your state may have a fair housing law which mirrors, or creates greater protections than, the federal Fair Housing Act. In that case, if you file a complaint with HUD, it will be forwarded to your state fair housing authority for handling. If your state authority does not begin investigating your claim within thirty days, HUD may ask for the complaint to be returned to it for handling.